As a result of stalled elections, in early 2020, the parliament dissolved. There are no functioning democratic structures at national or local level. Human rights groups report coordination of the government with gang leaders, which has led to an unprecedented alliance of gangs. Extreme violence, kidnappings and even massacres have become a way of life for ordinary Haitians. And now, President Jovenel Moise has established his own secret police and is ruling by decree.

 

The de facto president’s term in office ended on the 7th of February, 2021, yet he is still in power. Scholars in international law have found that  widespread state-sanctioned violence in Haiti likely amounts to crimes against humanity. The country is descending into dictatorship once more.